Play Day is a nationally recognized and celebrated event in June, with organizations from across the country joining to uplift the lifelong benefits of sport, play, and movement for all kids. Play Day launched in Los Angeles and has spread nationwide to encourage the essential value of playing together.

Play Day shows how the joy of sport inspires communities to build new connections.  The LA84 Foundation and the Play Equity Fund join our partners each year for this exciting moment to support greater access to equitable experiences in youth sports and play programs.

Play Day One Pager PDF

CAN’s Role: Connect, Convene, and Inspire

CAN’s Role in Play Day Activations focuses on the following:

• Connect: With those around the State, Nationally, and Globally who are doing work in Sports, Play, and Movement in alignment with our Physical Health and Wellness Initiative.
• Convene: With those who are working to support youth, families, and communities in sports, play, and movement activities. So to learn alongside each other. 
• Inspire: Decision-makers and practitioners in Physical Health and Wellness systems to create quality opportunities for youth, families, and communities that foster a lasting, sustainable impact on their sports, play, and movement experiences. 

Project Phases

To do this work, our Physical Health & Wellness Community engages in five Stages of Play Day Activations

• Stage 1: Complete a Play Day Activation 
• Stage 2: Offer a sports sampling, add and facilitate a family engagement opportunity, collect data, and incorporate professional development. 
• Stage 3: Offering of multiple sports play movement activities in a year, and leveraging data to add additional opportunities. 
• Stage 4: Include Community Partners 
• Stage 5: Build for Sustainability

Support Team 

Stay CANnected! To learn more about activating Play Day in your area, please reach out to our CAN Support Team:

• Troy Selvey at tselvey@afterschoolnetwork.org, and
• Peter Alton at palton@afterschoolnetwork.org